February 29, 1932 - December 20, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Alida Mohr, on December 20th, 2023. Alida (Lidy) was born in Palembang, Indonesia to Willem and Elisabeth Kous on February 29th, 1932. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood in the final years of the Dutch East Indies, which ended suddenly with the invasion of Japanese forces in 1942.
Over the next three years she endured appalling conditions in several concentration camps, but was able to survive and to provide vital support to her younger brothers.
When the war finally ended, she found herself in the midst of the Indonesian War of Independence, and with her family, narrowly escaped a violent ambush on a train bound for Bandung. She returned to the Netherlands in 1946, and then went back to Indonesia in 1948 when her father accepted a job to assist with re-building telecommunications, and finally she returned to the Netherlands in 1951.
Once back in the Netherlands, Lidy worked as a secretary for various firms, and then she met Jules Mohr in the Spring of 1957. Since they both were concentration camp survivors, they immediately had a bond, and they married in October of the same year.
Over the course of the next 5 years, she was kept busy with the births of two sons, and immigrating to the United States in 1962. At first, she found herself in rural New Jersey on a sheep farm, but she and Jules then decided to move to southern California in search of better prospects.
Lidy and Jules remained in California where she had a third son, and then they immigrated to Canada in 1965. Initially they settled in West Vancouver, but she soon found herself in rural Ashcroft when Jules began work for the meteorological service of Canada. This was followed by a move to Port Alberni, and finally to Revelstoke in 1974.
She never forgot the harrowing drive to Revelstoke in the dead of winter, and the astonishing amounts of snow piled up in the streets and in the yard of the new home.
However, Lidy quickly adjusted and continued to do what she did best; providing unwavering support and stability to her family. Indeed, her life is best described as one devoted to her family. She kept an immaculate house and garden, and was an accomplished cook- it will be difficult to forget her elaborate rijsttafels, or her wonderful baking, all infused with her love of family and friends.
Never one to sit still, Lidy took up Nordic skiing in her forties, served on the Nordic ski club board for several years, and helped run the family-owned bike shop. She was also very interested in Revelstoke's history and was involved with Revelstoke Museum Society.
She took up piano in her fifties and loved to sing in the community choir, and she was also an enthusiastic member of the folk-dancing club. Lidy loved genealogy and her scrapbooking skills were amazing.
In later years, she and Jules spent time travelling to the old country, and to Australia and New Zealand to visit relatives, as well as memorable trips to Europe and the United States. Lidy always loved to have a daily walk, and kept this up right until her final years, despite suffering from progressive dementia. She could often be seen walking in downtown Revelstoke or having a break at one of the local cafés.
Sadly, her desire to have a daily walk led to some unfortunate falls and her eventual passing. She was a kind and gentle soul, and will be dearly missed.
Lidy was predeceased by her husband Jules on January 7, 2022, her younger brother Bill in 2015, her father in 1995, her mother in 1991, and is survived by her brother Carel of Collie, Australia, sons Hans and Robert (Mary Lou) of Revelstoke, Michiel (Mike) of New Westminster, and grandchildren, Jeremy, Alei, Rowan and Willow.
Many thanks to Dr. Brown, and staff of QVH and Cartier Court for their compassion and care during her final year.
A celebration of her life will be held later in 2024.